Cotton
Cotton
Textile production, particularly in Asia, is time and again the subject of public debate due to working conditions and low wages – and not just following accidents and factory collapses. But what actually happens before the fabrics are turned into shirts and trousers for the European market?
Cotton production is rarely reported on, despite a whole range of risks in the countries where it is grown: work in the fields is hard and usually poorly paid, whilst pesticides pose a threat to both people and the environment. At the same time, cotton cultivation is a key economic factor in many countries.
Using the resources on the topic of cotton, pupils can discuss who, within the value chain from the plantation to the spinning mill, bears (shared) responsibility for improving social, environmental and economic conditions and ensuring greater sustainability in the industry.
Teaching materials
The cotton value chain – who is responsible?
